2021 Chevrolet Suburban problems
The Chevrolet Suburban is a series of SUVs built by Chevrolet since the 1935 model year. The longest-used automobile nameplate in the world, the Chevrolet Suburban is currently in its twelfth generation, introduced for 2021. Beginning life as one of the first metal-bodied station wagons, the Suburban is the progenitor of the modern full-size SUV, combining a wagon-style body with the chassis and powertrain of a pickup truck. Alongside its Advance Design, Task Force, and C/K predecessors, the Chevrolet Silverado currently shares chassis and mechanical commonality with the Suburban and other trucks.
Traditionally one of the most profitable vehicles sold by General Motors, the Suburban has been marketed through both Chevrolet and GMC for nearly its entire production. Along sharing the Suburban name with Chevrolet, GMC has used several nameplates for the model line; since 2000, the division has marketed it as the GMC Yukon XL. Since 2003, Cadillac has marketed the Suburban as the Cadillac Escalade ESV. During the 1990s, GM Australia marketed right-hand drive Suburbans under the Holden brand.
.The Suburban is sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Chile, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Peru, Philippines, and the Middle East (except Israel), while the Yukon XL is sold only in North America (exclusive to the United States, Canada, and Mexico) and the Middle East territories (except Israel).
A 2018 iSeeCars.com study identified the Chevrolet Suburban as the car that is driven the most each year. A 2019 iSeeCars.com study named the Chevrolet Suburban the second-ranked longest-lasting vehicle. In December 2019, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce unveiled a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the Suburban, noting that the Suburban had been in "1,750 films and TV shows since 1952."
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Common 2021 Chevrolet Suburban problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, several common problems have been reported:
- Recalls and Safety Concerns: The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban has been subject to multiple safety recalls, including issues with the fuel pump power control module, driveshaft assemblies, and seat belt brackets. These recalls address potential safety hazards such as engine stalling, driveshaft failure, and inadequate seat belt restraints, highlighting safety concerns for owners.
- Lifting/Lowering System Issues: Some owners have faced problems with the lifting/lowering system of the Suburban, leading to issues with parts like lifters, rods, and gaskets. These issues have resulted in extended stays at repair shops and concerns about the reliability of this feature.
- Paint Peeling: A few owners have reported minor issues like paint peeling off the front fender shortly after purchase. While this may not affect the performance of the vehicle, it indicates potential quality control issues in the manufacturing process.
- Transmission and Mechanical Failures: Reports of transmission and mechanical failures have been highlighted by some owners, with instances of engine failures, shaking, and unusual noises. These issues have led to significant repair costs, inconvenience, and in some cases, the need for engine replacements.
These problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban underscore various challenges faced by owners, ranging from safety concerns to mechanical and performance issues. Addressing these issues promptly and effectively is crucial to ensure the reliability and satisfaction of Suburban owners.
How reliable is 2021 Suburban?
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban has a predicted reliability score of 70 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
What is the most common problem with the Chevy Suburban?
Common Chevrolet Suburban Problems
Excessive oil consumption: Several suburban models have struggled with excessive oil consumption. Many owners have reported that their Suburban consumed abnormal amounts of oil. For the 2010-2013 Suburban, the culprit was determined to be the change to the Vortec 5300 engine.
Are there any recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
9 Recalls for 2021 CHEVROLET Suburban
| Recall Date | Component |
|---|---|
| 2022-01-27 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT |
| 2021-09-23 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE |
| 2021-06-03 | AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE |
| 2021-06-17 | STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE |
What year is the best year Suburban to buy?
These are the most reliable years to consider:
- 1998 Chevrolet Suburban.
- 1999 Chevrolet Suburban.
- 2006 Chevrolet Suburban.
- 2010 Chevrolet Suburban.
- 2013 Chevrolet Suburban.
- 2017 Chevrolet Suburban.
- 2018 Chevrolet Suburban.
- 2019 Chevrolet Suburban.
How reliable is 2021 Suburban?
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban has a predicted reliability score of 70 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Are there any recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
9 Recalls for 2021 CHEVROLET Suburban
| Recall Date | Component |
|---|---|
| 2022-01-27 | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT |
| 2021-09-23 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE |
| 2021-06-03 | AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE |
| 2021-06-17 | STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE |
Is a Chevy Suburban a reliable car?
For many SUV owners, much of the appeal comes from the safety and reliability of a larger vehicle. That's especially true when it comes to the Chevrolet Suburban, which routinely ranks high in reliability and safety. In fact, if you're searching for a used Suburban, you'll often find several over the 100,000 mile mark.
What is the most common problem with the Chevy Suburban?
Common Chevrolet Suburban Problems
Excessive oil consumption: Several suburban models have struggled with excessive oil consumption. Many owners have reported that their Suburban consumed abnormal amounts of oil. For the 2010-2013 Suburban, the culprit was determined to be the change to the Vortec 5300 engine.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Chevrolet Suburban problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
- Forward collision avoidance problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Chevrolet Suburban vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
The NHTSA has received 59 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles.
2024-10-25
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- VIN: 1GNSCEKD3MR
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The headlight adjuster failed. As a result, the headlight points straight down creating a safety issue at night. I have read online this is a common problem on suburbans and tahoes. This happened on my car around 60k miles and only ~3 years.
2024-10-19
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-03
- VIN: 1GNSKGKL2MR
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: The 22 inch rims on my vehicle are cast aluminum I'm assuming. I have had several cracks causing me to rapidly loose air on the tires while driving at highway speeds. I have had three cracks in different rims within the last week and have had the rims repaired twice. The vehicle has 75k miles on it. This is a major concern and safety issue. I've never seen that many cracks happen at once. Some say well your hitting potholes but that isn't the case here.
2024-10-16
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-15
- VIN: 1GNSKGKL2MR
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: Rims keep cracking on the inside where the tire is sealed. This has happen a total of three times to both front and rear passenger side. Tire pressures are 36psi as recommended by manufacturer. No major pot holes or other road hazards have been hit.
2024-09-30
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- VIN: 1GNSKCKD4MR
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly and failed to restart. The transmission was in park(P) and failed to shift to neutral(N). The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V739000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the failure was due to the fuel pump module. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the module and a battery replacement was needed. The dealer jumpstarted the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
2024-09-27
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-26
- VIN: 1GNSKCKD6MR
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Yesterday marked the 2nd time that the front windshield wipers on my 2021 Chevy Suburban (58k miles) randomly stopped working while driving down the highway in a rainstorm. They would not come out of the resting position regardless on what setting they were put to on the wheel switch. They continued to not work for the hour drive back to my house. The last time this happened all fuses, motor, etc were checked and tested good. The wipers started working again a day or so later, using the windshield wiper fluid button to test. This marks the second time my family has been put in a situation driving on the highway in a rainstorm with the wipers randomly stopping to work and having to navigate to safety with extremely limited visibility. This appears to be a fairly common issue with newer GM vehicles with the auto sense technology, found plenty of forums with the same experience. The major concern I have is that when this happens the wipers don’t work at all in any mode. Even trying to run in manual mode rather than auto sense the wipers will not move from the resting position. It leaves a driver with zero way to clear rain and see when this randomly occurs.
2024-08-16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-01
- VIN: 1GNSKGKL4MR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: Service safety restraint constantly reappears. Taken into dealership 3 times and still has not been fixed. This could cause serious injury or harm and I have 4 children 10 and younger. This has been an on going problem.
2024-07-12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-16
- VIN: 1GNSKCKD3MR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: A warning message appeared on my 2021 Chevy Suburban dashboard that says "Service Safety Restraint System". This impacts the airbag control module under the driver seat. After doing some research on my own this is a TSB PIT5759 but it is not covered under a recall, as per my local dealership. I took the vehicle to the Chevy dealership where purchased and was told this is not a recall or warranty part. This is very disappointing as it impacts the airbag controls which in an accident could cause severe injury or death.
2024-07-05
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-04
- VIN: 1GNSKCKD0MR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Seat, mirror, steering column pre-set driver adjustments do not come into proper driving configuration on a regular basis when starting vehicle. This is a dangerous situation when a malfunction does occur. Seat has tendency to squeeze driver torso into steering column and knees into dash. LH mirror inadvertently and unexpectedly tilts down toward the ground and ofter unnoticed. This makes for a dangerous condition where the driver assumes that there is no oncoming rear traffic and it's safe to pull away from a curb from a stopped position. This condition has occurred for over a year and while the vehicle was covered under factory warranty. Numerous trips to Bonner Chevrolet in Kingston service department for remedy have yielded nothing. Bonner Chevrolet walked away from this serious issue and told us there's nothing more they can do and said, sorry. In contact with Chevrolet through Chat messaging, the recommend other surrounding dealers. None are interested at this point. the chat messaging is as useless as Bonner Chevrolet. Meanwhile I'm driving and paying for a useless and dangerous vehicle which no one knows how to repair. This has been an ongoing event since June, 2023.
2024-06-24
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-22
- VIN: 1GNSCCKD1MR
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Started car, noticed check engine light on and rough idle. Car barely would go in reverse to exit parking spot, so I attempted to pull back in. Car would not move forward. Able to switch to neutral and push back into spot. Could have been a very dangerous situation if it had occurred while driving or with my children in tow. Car would not restart at that point. Failed fuel pump @ 50,000 miles.
2024-06-14
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-14
- VIN: 1GNSKFKT1MR
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated and abruptly applied the brakes, dramatically reducing the speed of the vehicle. Later, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the Adaptive Cruise Control activated, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated, requiring the contact to depress the brake pedal to avoid a collision. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light and the Adaptive Cruise Control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 28,000.
2024-05-22
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-14
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1GNSKGKL3MR
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: my car was hit on the side passenger back door in a parking lot while parked and nobody inside- had it look at by the chevrolet dealer- diagnosis is it needs a new engine??? make this make sense??? super disappointed with this car from the very beginning! will never buy chevrolet again
2024-04-22
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-03
- VIN: 1GNSKCKD9MR
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Same like my other 2 claims for livery vehicles Vehicle started losing RPMs and jerking while clients on board. Excessive fumes from exhausts started Diagnostics- misfire on a cylinder cause by faulty engine lifters. They all start like that. That also caused a cam shaft damage. Repairs paid out of pocket $14,000 for new engine. Incident happened around first week of December 2023. 200,000 miles Forums can tip you that there are many other similar cases with engine lifters issues from GM. Escalades and Suburbans and pick up trucks I will do my best to make other limo drivers from Chicago to submit same report. From my investigation problems occur between 30,000 and 200,000 miles.
2024-03-21
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-21
- VIN: 1GNSKCKD7MR
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: At approximately 43,000 miles driving down the highway and lost power braking followed with a number of dash messages and lights. Took to dealer to discover the ABS Master Cylinder is bad and needs replaced and parts are 2 weeks out to have repaired. It appears after reading online this looks to be a problem with numerous people leaving comments etc.
2024-02-01
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-29
- VIN: 1GNSKBKT3MR
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH up the driveway, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, while the vehicle was idling, the engine shut off upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the fuel pump power control module had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on a national backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V739000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall because the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
2024-01-16
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-09
- VIN: 1GNSKDKD3MR
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: Originally we had an engine light come on upon the engine chugging and the vehicle lunging forward at times. The diagnostic showed a bad lifter on the passenger side. They then replaced the passenger side lifters. We asked them to replace both sides since this was a known problem with our year, make, and model. They said they weren't replacing both sides of the lifters. Luckily we were still under the warranty for this repair. Now, a little over a year later on the day we were taking it to trade in, the engine light came on and the engine started chugging again. I knew immediately what the problem was. I took it to the same dealership and they quickly diagnosed it with a lifter failure on the driver side. Unfortunately we are out of warranty at 80,200 miles. The vehicle is only 2 years old. We have been advised not to drive the vehicle until it is repaired. I should not be responsible for the cost of the repair when this is obviously a known defect with the lifters for my year, make, and model. They should have replaced all lifters when the vehicle was originally brought in for the passenger side lifter failure. This should already be a recall by GM for the amount of vehicles that have and will experience this lifter failure. There is actually a class action lawsuit filed against GM for the lifter failure.
2023-12-20
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-28
- VIN: 1GNSKCKD1MR
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 45-55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump power control module had failed and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the battery needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V739000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
2023-11-30
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-23
- VIN: 1GNSCFKD2MR
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Vehicle stalled while driving in center lane on I-4 in Orlando in traffic. There were no warnings prior to the vehicle stalling. When trying to restart it, the low fuel warning appeared along with the check engine light. I was unable to restart the vehicle leaving us stranded in the middle lane of I-4 in heavy traffic. FL Road Rangers arrived to offer aid and had to manually place the vehicle in Neutral under the vehicle at the transmission. Vehicle was then pushed off the highway onto the shoulder. Vehicle was towed to Starling Chevrolet which was the closest Chevrolet dealer from the incident. Starling's Service Department had to replace the battery in order to run a diagnostic. Once the battery was replace, the diagnostic indicated that the issue is with the Fuel Pump Power Control Module Part No. 13544060 / 13554821. This part is on back order with no known availability time provided. Vehicle is still sitting at Starling Chevrolet. Although my vehicle does not show any open recalls, I found that the fuel pump power control module for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is part of a known Product Safety Recall N212332040 Stall While Driving.
2023-11-06
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-06
- VIN: 1GNSCFKD3MR
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: The fuel pump power control module caused the fuel pump to fail and resulted in unexpected engine stall. The issue cause me and my 4 children to be stuck in the middle of the road waiting for a tow truck for over 3 hours. The vehicle could only be put in neutral while the car was on. Since I couldn’t start my car I could not put it in neutral to move the vehicle out of 2 way traffic. We want the issue confirmed by the dealership but the police who aided me and my children inspected the vehicle and recommend getting the fuel pump look at. No warnings were displayed.
2023-10-25
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-01
- VIN: 1GNSKCKD7MR
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Fuel pump incident identified in recall N212332040. NHTSA says our 2021 Suburban was not involved in the recall. But the incident happened 3 separate times. Our dealer made the repair under warranty.
2023-10-16
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-16
- VIN: 1GNSKFKD2MR
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: While night driving driver noticed the driver side headlight completly pointing down providing no visibility. Vehicle was brought into GM dealership where is was discovered the Driver LED headlight adjuster screw broken causing a safety issue, where the light beam pointed down. Vehicle light assembly is currently being inspected for replacement under manufacture warranty under 36,000 miles.
2023-10-03
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-27
- VIN: 1GNSKDKD2MR
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine started to misfire, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the check engine and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the lifters had collapsed. The lifters were replaced on only one side of the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred one week after the repair. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,126.
2023-08-31
STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-24
- VIN: 1GNSCCKD0MR
- Components: STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The computer component surged, and the vehicle is available for inspection. The vehicle brake function is lost. Stepping on the brake paddle did not apply brake. Brake function was disabled by the computer. I took the vehicle to dealer, they said it was a component that has high resistance that cause it. But not sure why it has high resistance at that time and the resistance is gone after driver restarted the vehicle. No one else inspected the component beside the dealership. There was no warning at all and this is the first time it happens. Driver was just driving normally and suddenly all the light in the instructment panel started blinking and driver tried to apply brake but nothing happen. Luckly it wasn't rush hour, and driver was able to let the vehicle roll to the freeway exit on ram and use the up ram to slow the vehicle until it almost stop and changed gear to Park to stop the vehicle. Driver then restarted the vehicle and the problem is gone.
2023-08-18
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-28
- VIN: 1GNSKDKDXMR
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: Second row drivers side seat headrest latching mechanism failed. The head rest will not stay in the upright position and is a safety hazard if someone is sitting in the seat as it hits the passenger in the back of the neck.
2023-08-11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-06
- VIN: 1GNSKCKD3MR
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the brake pedal seized while depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and "Brake System Failure" and another unknown message were displayed. The contact coasted to the shoulder of the road and parked the vehicle before shutting off. The contact's husband then restarted the vehicle and drove to the residence while the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the master brake cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
2023-08-07
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-05
- VIN: 1GNSKDKD8MR
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: While driving on the I-4 interstate on Saturday August 5, 2023 - my 2021 Cheverolet Surburban stalled as if it had no fuel (had 3/4 of a tank). I was barely able to get over to the shoulder across three lanes of traffic on an overpass before it completely shut off! The Surburban would not start - when pressing the start button the ignition clicked for an extended period of time. We used On Star to contact GM/Chevy roadside support. They ran a remote diagnostic stating an issue with the Fuel Management System. I was told that this is a common problem with the fuel pump failure. I see there are open recalls for many other GM vehicles but not for my VIN currently. My Surburban has 40,669 miles. We waited over 3 hours for the tow truck that was dispatched by GM/Chevy. We were not in a safe location. Turns out my Surburban cannot be placed in neutral without the vehicle being started, which means it had to be dragged on and off the tow bed. I had to pay $450 to have it towed to my my home town dealer as we were 90 miles from home. We were originally going to tow it to a local dealer when the Surburban stalled but they told me not to as they are backed up and could even look at it for 9 days. I am now waiting on word from my dealer. Clearly the recall needs to be expanded based upon what we are finding online and from what everyone is telling us locally.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 10 recalls for different components of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban.
2022-11-03
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Consequence: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
2022-08-11
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.
- Consequence: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.
2022-01-27
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
- Consequence: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
2021-09-23
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.
- Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.
2021-06-17
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
- Consequence: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
2021-06-03
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
- Consequence: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.
2021-03-18
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.
- Consequence: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.
2020-12-23
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
- Consequence: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
2020-12-17
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
- Consequence: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
2020-11-25
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.
- Consequence: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.
Negative 2021 Chevrolet Suburban car reviews
Positive 2021 Chevrolet Suburban car reviews
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Terrific hauler, and with a much more comfortable, car-like ride than previous models. The High Country trim is fantastic - it's like having a mobile living room.
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If you're searching for a luxurious interior, the Yukon Denali or Escalade are excellent options. However, I must say that the Suburban is one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. It boasts a spacious interior, is incredibly quiet, packed with features, has a 5-star crash rating, and delivers great performance with the 6.2L engine. As for those who claim there are engine failures, I believe they are simply ambassadors of other brands trying to discredit this vehicle. I've owned eight GM vehicles with cylinder deactivation and have never experienced any issues whatsoever.
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I've had my new Suburban LT for 3 weeks and I'm very happy with it so far. Although I didn't think I really wanted a sunroof, I've come to love it! The WiFi is great for my grandkids, who all like to watch whatever they want on their iPads. I also really appreciate all the safety features and cameras. Go Big or Go Home!
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The new model Z71 Suburban is really nice, with a few caveats. The engineers decided to redesign the second row seats (captains chairs) to allow for a few inches of sliding fore and aft, which is a really useless feature and creates significant issues putting in a decent floor mat in the back. We usually leave the second row seats folded up to allow our big dogs access to the rear, but unfortunately, the redesign has these exposed tracks that will do nothing but collect dirt and debris. It's too bad they didn't ask for feedback on this. However, the vehicle looks and sounds awesome! The design and aesthetics are really nice. I would definitely recommend it.
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I've owned 4 Suburbans and I must say, the driving experience is great! The cameras all around are amazing and the extra leg room in row 3 is a plus. The return of the large mirror is everything! However, the entertainment system has two touch screens on the back of the driver and passenger headrests which can be a sight obstruction when pulling out of an angled intersection. Also, my kids in row 3 cannot see these screens and the car only came with 2 sets of headphones. Unfortunately, there is no place to put fire stick cords so the kids just kick them and walk on them. The auto shut off upon stopping at a light will also shut off their movie so make sure you shut that down EVERY time you turn on the car (also annoying that this comes back on every time you start the vehicle). Generally, we don’t use the system unless we are on a road trip but it could be improved. On the bright side, this Suburban is a delight to drive and the safety features are fantastic. The wireless charging and Bluetooth connections are also very handy. It's much more streamlined than Suburbans of the past.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Chevrolet Suburban problems:
2021 suburban engine failure scoured cylinders a 13,000 miles told ...
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Sep 12, 2023 ... The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban has been known to have engine problems, specifically with the 5.3L V8 engine. The problem is that the cylinders can ...
2021 suburban duramax DEF pump issue | New Tahoe Yukon Forum
https://www.newtahoeyukon.com/threads/2021-suburban-duramax-def-pump-issue.288/
Sep 8, 2021 ... Has anyone else had issues with this? I advised them I was concerned because this is a brand new vehicle and after our warranty, granted we have ...
2021 Chevrolet Suburban Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/suburban/2021/common-problems/
How reliable is the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
2021 Chevrolet Suburban Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/report/chevrolet/suburban/2021
Apr 6, 2023 ... 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Review: Reliable Large SUV With Some High Ownership Costs As Well · The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban lasts around 250,000 ...
2021 Chevrolet Suburban Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/chevrolet/suburban/2021/reliability/
What Owners Say ... "Module for the suspension leveling system leaving the vehicle at positioned with the rear higher than the front. After replacing that module ...
Other years of Chevrolet Suburban
Are you having problems with your 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
Linwood Maggio 2025-01-05
Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with my 2021 Suburban that I purchased in December. Unfortunately, I had to replace the pushrods and lifters on the left side of the engine after only 6k miles. My SUV has been in the shop for 2 weeks now while awaiting parts. This has been a bit of a setback, especially since I had to cancel my family vacation to Disney. I had a similar issue with my 2015 Suburban, where I had to replace the transmission at 115k and pay $4500 out of pocket. Despite these challenges, I'm hopeful that things will improve in the future. Thanks for listening!
Daron Harris 2025-01-01
During a road trip out of town, my car broke down and was undrivable. Despite arriving at a dealership on a Saturday, there were no available mechanics or rental cars, leaving me and my dog stranded at a hotel until Monday. As someone who frequently travels across multiple states, I was disappointed to learn that the engine had a defect that would continue to cause issues even after being fixed. Despite owning and buying Chevys for 37 years without any problems, I had to purchase another car to make it to my son's graduation as I couldn't wait for the repairs to be completed. Unfortunately, I can no longer trust this engine for any future long-distance travel. It was a costly lesson, but I hope others can learn from my experience and avoid making the same mistake.
Hadley Medhurst 2024-10-10
The interior room for the new Suburban is not sufficient for four grown men to ride in comfort. When I bought this vehicle, I assumed it would have ample space, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Surprisingly, my new Dodge Charger has more leg room for me and my friends. I kindly request that GMC improve the interior space in future models. Thank you!
Johann Emard 2024-08-18
Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're sorry to hear that you've had some issues with your vehicle. We understand how frustrating that can be. We appreciate your feedback and we'll make sure to pass it along to our team. If there's anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for choosing our SUV and we hope you have a great day!
Tremayne Ankunding 2024-05-13
Our 2021 High Country offers a high level of refinement and comfort that large families have come to expect and depend on from Suburban. With the new independent rear suspension and the powerful 6.2L engine, it was an easy decision to replace our 2016 LTZ 5.3L. However, we have experienced some issues with durability and dependability, which seems to be a common problem among customers. We purchased our vehicle in June for two long road trips, including a 6-week cross-country adventure. Although we had no issues for the first 2300 miles, we encountered four different issues in the next 8000 miles, some of which were major and required repairs. Despite these setbacks, we were fortunate to have an outstanding dealership (Banks Autos) in NH that replaced all 16 lifters and related parts under warranty. We were without our brand new vehicle for 10 days, but the dealership's service was exceptional. We also experienced a malfunctioning Adaptive Air Ride Suspension, which was inconvenient but luckily reset after disconnecting our travel trailer and the Suburban battery. We had a temporary repair for a fried O2 sensor that had been incorrectly installed from the plant, and parts are currently on order for final repair. Lastly, we encountered a massive oil leak upon our return to Oregon. Although these issues were frustrating, we appreciate the dealership's efforts to resolve them and hope that future models will address these concerns.The Suburban had a leak that went undetected by sensors and warning systems, even though the dipstick registered ZERO oil. Luckily, I was standing in the driveway when my wife backed out and discovered the lake of oil under the vehicle. I have had to visit Chevrolet service departments across the country, but the people I've met in Concord, NH, Casper, WY, and Bend, OR have been nothing but outstanding. GM has also stepped up by comp'ing us a GM Platinum Extended Service Contract (6 year / 100,000 miles) without hesitation. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or if they are merely hedging against additional inevitable mechanical issues in our future. In conclusion, I would caution any prospective buyer to pump the brakes on the purchase of even a 2022 model until performance and durability data are available.